Pricey 'bait bike' stolen 3 times in 24 hours

Police in Ashland are finding their pricey new "bait bike" is proving irresistible to thieves.

Author:
Associated Press

Published:
9:26 AM PDT August 22, 2014

Updated:
9:26 AM PDT August 22, 2014

ASHLAND, Ore. (AP) - Police in Ashland are finding their pricey new "bait bike" is proving irresistible to thieves.

The new bicycle is worth $1,500. Police said Thursday that they'd arrested three people in three different incidents of bike theft over the previous 24 hours. They say a 46-year-old Ashland woman, a 20-year-old Rogue River man and a 25-year-old male transient were each arrested within minutes of taking the bike.

The department has used lower-value bait bikes, but Deputy Chief Tighe O'Meara says using a bike worth more than $1,000 makes its theft a felony with a possible 5-year sentence.